The House on Wednesday afternoon voted 251-175 to pass H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which makes permanent and universal the annually-approved Hyde amendment. In its current form, the Hyde amendment, which bans federal funding for abortion in cases of rape and incest, requires annual approval.

The bill was authored by veteran pro-life leader Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and sported at least 227 co-sponsors by the time of the vote.

‚ÄúWhen public funding and facilitation for abortion isn‚Äôt available, children have a greater chance at survival,‚ÄĚ said Smith in the general debate before the final vote this afternoon....